On April 17, the State Administration for Market Regulation issued administrative penalties against seven e-commerce platforms—including Shanghai Xunmeng Information Technology Co., Ltd. (Pinduoduo), Beijing Sankuai Technology Co., Ltd. (Meituan), Beijing Jingdong Sanbai Liushi Du E-commerce Co., Ltd. (JD.com), Shanghai Lazasi Information Technology Co., Ltd. (formerly Ele.me, now Taobao Quick Purchase), Beijing Douyin Technology Co., Ltd. (Douyin), Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd. (Taobao), and Zhejiang Tmall Network Co., Ltd. (Tmall)—in relation to a series of "ghost takeaway" cases. The penalties were imposed in accordance with Article 131 of China's Food Safety Law and Article 83 of the E-commerce Law. The seven platforms were ordered to rectify their illegal activities, suspend new cake shop registrations for periods ranging from three to nine months, and pay combined fines and confiscations totaling 3.597 billion yuan. Additionally, under Article 75 of the Implementing Regulations of the Food Safety Law, the legal representatives and food safety directors of the seven platforms were collectively fined 19.6874 million yuan.
Investigations revealed that these platforms failed to rigorously review food business licenses and did not fulfill their legal obligations to verify qualifications. They also entered into cooperation agreements with order-redirecting platforms despite being aware, or having reason to know, that such practices harmed consumer rights, yet took no necessary measures. The legal representatives and food safety directors of these platforms, who bear responsibility for food safety management, failed to fully perform their duties. These actions constituted serious violations of China's Food Safety Law, E-commerce Law, and related regulations.
Following the launch of the investigation, the market regulator instructed the platforms to immediately correct their practices. All seven have since removed unverified "ghost stores" and terminated catering order-redirecting partnerships with relevant platforms.
State Administration for Market Regulation Administrative Penalty Decision Document No. Guo Shi Jian Chu Fa [2026] No. 18
Party Involved: Huang Haibo Type of ID: Resident ID Card ID Number: Omitted Address: Omitted
Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd. was found to have violated legal requirements for qualification verification. The bureau initiated an investigation on December 16, 2025, identifying Huang Haibo as the company's food safety management officer. Evidence was gathered through platform data checks, interviews, income verification, and documentation.
As a third-party online food trading platform, Zhejiang Taobao Network Co., Ltd. failed to perform its duty to review the qualifications of food sellers. The bureau applied Article 131 of the Food Safety Law, which stipulates penalties including fines between 50,000 and 200,000 yuan for such violations, and may involve suspension or license revocation in severe cases. The company’s violations were prolonged, involved numerous shops, had broad impact, and posed significant food safety risks, meeting the criteria for "egregious violations" under Article 75 of the Implementing Regulations of the Food Safety Law.
Huang Haibo, as the food safety management officer, received relevant income in the previous year (amount omitted). Evidence included company licenses, internal records, platform screenshots, and Huang’s employment and income documents.
On April 8, 2026, the bureau issued a penalty notice informing Huang of the facts, legal basis, proposed penalty, and his right to defend or request a hearing. Huang did not exercise these rights within the legal period.
Considering his responsibilities and the severity of the violations, the bureau imposed a fine of 276,484.46 yuan under Article 75 of the Implementing Regulations, which allows for fines ranging from one to ten times the annual income of responsible personnel in cases of egregious violations.
Huang must pay the fine within 15 days via any of 17 designated banks or online channels. Failure to pay may result in a daily 3% late fee and compulsory enforcement by the courts.
Huang may apply for administrative reconsideration within 60 days or file a lawsuit within six months. Penalty enforcement will continue during appeals.
State Administration for Market Regulation April 17, 2026
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